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Table 1 Description of ISS locations and associated metadata, from which surface swabs were collected

From: Characterization of the total and viable bacterial and fungal communities associated with the International Space Station surfaces

Location number

Location description

ISS module

1

Port panel next to cupola

Node 3

2

Waste and hygiene compartment

Node 3 “F4”

3

Advanced resistive exercise device (ARED) foot platform

Node 3

4

Dining table

Node 1

5

Overhead 4

Node 1

6

Permanent multipurpose module (PMM) Port 1

PMM

7

Lab 3 overhead

LAB

8

Port crew quarters, bump out exterior aft wall

Node 2

Environmental parameters

Flight 1 (F1)

Flight 2 (F2)

Flight3 (F3)

Sampling date

March 4th 2015

May 15th 2015

May 6th 2016

Vehicle (ascent/descent)

SpX-5/TMA-14A

SpX-6/SpX-6

SpX-8/SpX-8

Crewmember who performed sampling

T. Virts

T. Virts

J.Williams

  1. Nodes are US modules that connect the elements of the ISS
  2. Node 1, called Unity, was the first US-built element that was launched and connects the US and Russian Segments. Node 1 has 6 ports that provide berthing connections to other modules, ISS infrastructure, and visiting cargo. The module has 4 racks. Some of which are used for stowage to return the cargo back to Earth (ISS_5). Additionally, the dining table (ISS_4) is also located in Node 1
  3. Node 2, called Harmony, connects the US, European, and Japanese laboratories. The module provides docking and berthing ports for Japanese and US vehicles. Node 2 provides crew quarters (ISS_8) for 4 crew members as well as vital functional resources for the operation of the connected elements
  4. Node 3, called Tranquility, is attached to the port side of Node 1 and provides accommodation for life support and exercise equipment. The cupola (ISS_1) is berthed on its nadir (Earth facing) port and provides through multiple windows observation of operations outside the ISS such as robotic activities, the approach of visiting vehicles, and extravehicular activities. Additionally, Node 3 accommodates critical equipment, air revitalization, oxygen, carbon dioxide removal, water recovery system, the waste and hygienic compartment (bathroom; ISS_2), and exercising equipment such as a treadmill (ARED) and a weight-lifting device (ISS_3)
  5. The US laboratory module, called Destiny, is the primary research facility for US payloads. The module hosts 24 equipment racks for accommodation and control of ISS systems and scientific research in physical and biological sciences (ISS_7)
  6. The Permanent Multipurpose Module, called PMM, hosts up to 16 stowage racks (ISS_6) containing equipment, experiments, and supplies, and its additional storage space for bags in the aft endcone
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Microbiome

ISSN: 2049-2618

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